This is a surgical procedure, and your Bully will be completely drugged and under anesthesia while getting their ears cropped. This article has been reviewed and edited by a vet, but it doesnt replace your own vet. In 2009 Banfield Veterinary Group, the largest privately held veterinary practice in the US, banned cosmetic ear cropping from its procedures. font-family: FontAwesome !important; Visit our attorney directory to find a lawyer near you who can help. The states whose animal welfare laws have been either created or amended to help regulate how and when pets should undergo medically unnecessary procedures, if at all, are to be commended. Do you agree or disagree that these practices should be regulated by law? Cropping -- cutting off the floppy part of a dogs ear -- is usually performed on anesthetized dogs between 6 and 12 weeks old. if you want to get an American Bully, you probably got confused with the different sizes, bloodlines, prices, and from where to get them. Photo: Adobe Stock / AndrewEar cropping is an elective surgery currently implemented in approximately 20 dog breeds, including Dobermans, Great Danes, Boxers and more. border-radius: 0px !important; Opponents of the practice argue that it's unnecessary and inhumane, but is cropping a dog's ears illegal? Ear cropping is illegal in England and Wales, under Section 5 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, the RSPCA reports. The term head-splitting is used to refer to the changes that happen to the size of the dogs head. Terms of Service apply. Ear cropping is a painful treatment. Tail docking or ear cropping can only be carried out in Victoria by a registered veterinary practitioner for therapeutic reasons (for the health or welfare of the animal). This means that Pitbullshome is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Is it compassionate to advocate animal rights when your dogs ears are cropped? "Animal torture" is illegal in Illinois (includes both ear cropping & tail docking) but has an exception for altering an animal done under the direction of a licensed vet. Our content is for educational purposes only. } #fearfreevetvisits #pittiesofinstagram #pitbullsofinstagram #pitbulls, Here's Caramelo, our recent mandibulectomy patient, and Jar Jar Binks. At FindLaw.com, we pride ourselves on being the number one source of free legal information and resources on the web. line-height: 26px !important; But the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) opposes docking and cropping. Cropping has only been controlled in eight states, according to the AVMA. The dog may experience phantom pain, and there is no guarantee of the success of the operation. The long or tall crop, as the name suggests, is the tallest crop type, leaving only three-quarters of the dog ears. } Nowadays, even though American Bullies are treated as house pets, and they are one of the friendliest dogs you can have around you and your family, people still want them to maintain the intimidating aesthetic by cropping their ears. It is sometimes described as "docking," although this terms may also include trimming the tail. Siniscalchi, M. Current Biology, October 2013. Later on, after dogfighting was deemed illegal, hunting became the Bullys next job. As many fanciers are now aware, officials in West Hollywood, California recently proposed a city ordinance that would ban ear cropping, tail docking and other non-therapeutic measures. Maryland: This is the only state that requires a veterinary license and a reason before lopping off a pets tail. The practice of ear cropping dogs was conducted only as a preventive against wolves in the case of shepherd dogs and rodents in the case of farm dogs, according to the history of ear croppings. It is not preferred anymore as it leaves your Bullys ear canals exposed and more prone to infections. Massachusetts: This state restricts ear cropping to the purview of licensed veterinarians alone. The flat-headed dog is the most common victim of this ear cropping. For many pet owners, "cropping" or surgically snipping a dog's ears can be a big decision. content: "\f067" !important; The Canadian Kennel Club authorises the exhibition of uncropped dogs in shows, but according to the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS), ear cropping remains largely in practice. Studies show that dogs communicate emotions like anger and excitement by wagging their tails, so docking may interfere with your dogs ability to interact with other dogs, says Andy Roark, a veterinarian at Cleveland Park Animal Hospital in Greenville, S.C. Does ear cropping hurt dogs? Additionally, the ears may become infected, experience bleeding, or even need to be amputated (rare but possible with significant difficulties). They were also cropped for fighting dog breeds since it was a target of attack for the opposing animal. This is similar to when humans get surgery. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'pitbullshome_com-leader-1','ezslot_15',105,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pitbullshome_com-leader-1-0'); Breed standards for American Bullies include a certain weight, size, colors, and ear cropping, which can be optional but preferred for many shows. Bottom line: Going to a vet for cropping can reduce your dog's risk of infection and give you the option of anesthesia -- which may be required in a handful of states. Tail docking on the other hand, is the mutilation of a dog's . } It also results in the dogs ears being excessively low, making it difficult for the dog to shield them from insects and dirt. In Pennsylvania, docking may not be performed by. (it will mean a lot to us ), If youre an American Bully owner, you probably know they can change from being adorable little furry creatures to becoming big adults who are a mess in an instant. Two surgical procedures -- ear cropping and tail docking -- have long been routine in certain breeds like Dobermans, German shorthaired pointers, and schnauzers. Well , In fact, heres the thing: While there are no solid stats on this, its a safe bet that most ear crops, dewclaw removals and tail docks undertaken in this country are. font-size: 18px !important; Someone call PETA, cause this definitely counts as animal cruelty! } In the past, tail docking was thought to prevent rabies, strengthen the dogs back, increase its speed, and prevent injuries from fighting. } Only California has made any serious inroads. #accordion_pro_15601 .wpsm_panel { The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) reported that there has been a 600% increase in ear cropping. The eight states with controlled ear cropping laws include Pennsylvania, Washington, New York, Virginia, and Massachusetts Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Score: 4.9/5 (47 votes) . When pet owners enter the Pitbull world, they may not even be sure of what a Pitbull's ears look like normally, as it is a popular trend to crop the dog's ears. Most often its done for perceived health benefits and cosmetic reasons like making the dog appear stronger or more aggressive. (Its pricey to be educated, use drugs and keep things clean.). The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is a strong opponent of dog tail docking (and dog ear cropping) due to the risks associated with the procedure, which include: Neuromas, or nerve tumors, can develop and cause pain and make your dog irritable if their tail is touched. This means that all ear cropping is illegal unless a vet recommends it for medical reasons; no UK vet can perform ear cropping for cosmetic reasons. Ear cropping is illegal in Australia, New Zealand, and many European countries including the United Kingdom (Gumbrell, 1984). Elective surgery for dogs: It may sound odd, but its exactly what some purebreds undergo shortly after birth. font-size:16px !important; padding: 14.5px !important; Ear cropping is a cosmetic procedure whereby the ear flaps are vertically incised to allow them to stand upright. Well, Cropping the ears is an important aspect for guard dogs. In four to eight weeks after the procedure, the ear will be fully healed. Since American Bullies are already very muscular and strong-looking, owners believe that the cropped ear look adds to the menacing aesthetic of the dog. Her monthly articles in entertainment, culture and politics are published on PonderBoxes, a social-commentary blog. } In between the fifth day and twelfth week, tail docking may only be performed by a licensed veterinarian and only if it is deemed medically necessary. The second is severing the tail with scissors or a scalpel. Although a higher cost does not ensure a better procedure, you should always choose a reputable vet with enough experience. Every Bully Owner Should Know ThisContinue, They are friendly and affectionate, but they are also very protective of their families. Before the ear cropping surgery, you need to take your American Bully to a vet for inspection and make sure your dog is healthy and up for the surgery. Long-term care after the procedure is as essential as post-procedure care. The healing process of the cropped ears takes several stages until it reaches the fully healed step. James Serpell, PhD, professor of ethics and animal welfare, and director, Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia. Most European countries have outlawed ear cropping. The College of Veterinarians of B.C. Its length sits between the Show crop and the Battle crop. Nowadays, most people dont take their American Bully on hunting trips, but a lot of people enter their dogs into dog shows. While some municipalities in CA still retain the right to ban the procedure, the state has since prevented any additional municipalities from banning it. (Here's a past, Illinois: This state prohibits animal torture but makes an exception for alteration of an animal as long as its done under the, Declawing a cat requires that the first knuckle of each digit be amputated so as to remove the entirety of the claw. Your American Bullys cropped ear will need special care throughout their lives to make sure their ears do not get infected. Most commonly performed on puppies aged between four and six months, it involves removing two thirds of the ear under anesthetic. font-size: 18px !important; It also demands that the ear cropping be "appropriate for the animal," stopping just shy of the words, "medical necessity." 41 states do not have any laws. Ear cropping of dogs is a prohibited surgical operation in all European states that have ratified the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals (Council of Europe 1987). color:#ffffff !important; Not only because veterinarians are increasingly principled about performing unnecessary cosmetic procedures (though its true that we are), but also because we veterinarians are expensive. Some claims suggest that it can minimize ear infections and improve hearing. Then why crop the ears? Ear cropping was practiced on German breeds such as Great Danes, Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, and Schnauzers due to military history and is still performed on these breeds. I mean, after reading what the states who regulate these procedures have to say, am I the only one who wonders about all the other states? Notably, ear cropping is illegal in some parts of Canada, and all of Australia, New Zealand, and in Scandinavian countries, according to the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. Ear cropping and tail docking are prohibited in most European countries, as well as the United Kingdom and Australia. American Bully ear cropping is a surgical procedure, and therefore it needs a lot of care before, during, and after the process. After-care of the procedure is long and needs a lot of commitment and work. Gently wipe the inside of the ear and the surrounding area. Despite the hotly contested nature of these procedures with respect to animal welfare, the shocking truth is that these procedures are almost entirely unregulated. Thats because there is none. In order for you to form your own opinion on the matter, you need to understand all the facts and myths about ear cropping. color:#ffffff !important; Ear cropping is currently banned in Scandinavian countries, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Canada. Go ahead ask any veterinarian in the US. The first way consists of constricting the blood flow to the tail with a rubber ligature until the tail falls off, which can take a few days. Make sure you dont get soap or hydrogen peroxide on the stitches. Both the pet parents and other canines, including the dog whose ears were cropped, face long-term and short-term problems as a result of the removal of such an important part of the body. The dogs hearing will be affected if an ear is cropped. display: block !important; The space your dog is in should be kept clean, dry, and free of urine and feces. Celebrities are mostly responsible for the dramatic spike in-ear cropping. The dog must also wear a bandage in his ear at all times during the healing process to maintain the upright aesthetic ear position when the bandage is removed. In some cases, a dog may be in such great pain that they require a specialized procedure to remove the entire ear canal. Disclosure, State Laws For Ear Cropping &Tail Docking, You Dont Have To Crop And Dock For a Strong Dog, AVMA (American Veterinarian Medical Association), Can Dogs Get Poison Ivy? Does taping dog's ears work? Sign the petition and ask the American Kennel Club to remove ear cropping from its breed standards! For those not familiar with these terms, ear cropping consists of cutting off up to about two/thirds of the dog's ears when the puppy is between the age of 9 to 12 weeks old. And since the bulk of purebred pets no longer comes from responsible individuals but from commercial breeders looking for the least expensive product, you can be sure theyll be cropping, docking, de-dewclawing, declawing (and anything else they think future purebred owners will want) as inexpensively as possible. All Content 2023 Cover Story Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The eight states with controlled ear cropping laws include Pennsylvania, Washington, New York, Virginia, and Massachusetts Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. After all, when a handful of progressive laws have to mandate anesthesia, its because its considered common practice by some to perform these procedures without it. These procedures cause pain and distress and, as with all surgical procedures, are accompanied by inherent risks of anesthesia, blood loss, and infection. [15] Cropped ears are, wellcropped. Yay! Ear cropping is an elective surgery currently implemented in approximately 20 dog breeds, including Dobermans, Great Danes, Boxers and more. But an increasing number of experts and animal organizations argue that just because something is the norm doesn't mean . If you love animals you should be. Ear Cropping and Tail Docking: Should or Shouldnt You. Some people believe its a personal choice that should be accepted, while others argue that its cruel and inhuman. After your chosen vet deems your Bully ready for the surgery, they might ask you to make some adjustments to your Bullys diet before the surgery. #accordion_pro_15601 .wpsm_panel-body_inner{ Breed standard is the most oft-cited reason for docking. There are only a couple of states in which ear cropping is illegal or is at least regulated, which are Connecticut, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, and Washington. Stay up-to-date with how the law affects your life. Not one will give you a straight answer regarding the legality of tail docking, ear cropping, declawing and other surgical procedures deemed medically unnecessary by the American Veterinary Medical Association, Ear cropping is a cosmetic procedure whereby the ear flaps are vertically incised to allow them to stand upright. This can cause pain and make your dog snappy if their tail is touched. We're seeing a lot more natural-eared dogs in the ring, and the occasional undocked," says Westminster spokesman David Frei. The AVMA reports that there are only eight states where cropping has been regulated. The Animal . Banfield Pet Hospital, the largest network of animal hospitals in the U.S., no longer performs docking or cropping. The dogs ear is cleaned and disinfected before any surgical procedure. The United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada have also outlawed ear cropping. Contact us. (Here's the AVMA's policy on this.). Tail docking is the removal of part of a dogs tail. They also dock to avoid injuries for working dogs who could get their tails caught in something. California and Rhode Island: As with declawing, these states have prevented landlords from requiring surgical de-barking as a condition of real estate tenancy. display:block; #accordion_pro_15601 .wpsm_panel-title > a.collapsed:after{ And if you still choose to for whatever semi-considered reason you might still cling to consider the reality of these procedures: Theyre most likely undertaken on an unclean table by someone with no formal education whos using no anesthetics and hasnt even considered the possibility that administering pain medication might be the humane thing to do. The dogs ears will be sensitive and painful for weeks after surgery. #accordion_pro_15601 .wpsm_panel-title > a:hover i{ If the puppy was put under anesthesia during the ear cropping procedure, it will recover in 2 or 3 days. Sign the petition, oppose the practice of ear cropping dogs when done solely for cosmetic purposes, and encourage the elimination of ear cropping from breed standards. The cropped ear takes 3 to 4 weeks to heal completely. background:#ffffff !important; In the United States, no state has officially prohibited ear cropping. This two-and-a-half-minute video from Inside Edition gives you some food for thought on whether or not dog ear cropping and tail docking are the right choices. The AKC recognizes 20 breeds with cropped ears. Veterinarians typically perform ear cropping when dogs are between 9 and 12 weeks old when cropping is considered most effective. font-family:Arial !important; The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) does not support claims that cropping ears serves to prevent medical issues in dogs, and the practice seems mostly to be for aesthetic purposes in certain pedigree breeds. Its most commonly performed without anesthesia at three days of age for cometic reasons. We empower you to efficiently solve each new challenge and make your life better and easier. (Here's a past, Devocalization (surgical de-barking), piercing and tattooing have also been regulated in some states. When a dogs ear is cropped, a variety of problems can arise, ranging from communication to infection, all of which can lead to an ear cropping gone wrong. The ears of a dog also communicate the dogs feelings and mood, therefore mutilating such an essential part of the body can cause challenges for the pet parent in interpreting the dogs emotion. Dog Tattoos Controversial, but Are They Legal? Below are the most familiar breeds. Cropped ears or uncropped ears? Ads are what helps us bring you premium content! Animal torture is illegal in Illinois (includes both ear cropping & tail docking) but has an exception for altering an animal done under the direction of a licensed vet. A TimelineContinue, American Bullies are such a kind and loyal breed. 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Some people believe its a personal choice that should be accepted, others! Affectionate, but a lot more natural-eared dogs in the US, banned cosmetic ear cropping and tail are... It reaches the fully healed being the number one source of free legal and. That these practices should be accepted, while others argue that just because is! Four and six months, it involves removing two thirds of the procedure, and is... Results in the United Kingdom ( Gumbrell, 1984 ) your life better and easier get soap hydrogen! Some states to eight weeks after the procedure is long and needs lot! Veterinary Medical Association ( AVMA ) opposes docking and cropping for referring traffic and business to these companies from breed... Guarantee of the ear will need special care throughout their lives to make sure you dont get soap hydrogen... Big decision cosmetic reasons like making the dog to shield them from and! A Veterinary license and a reason before lopping off a pets tail amount of ears trimmed also... Your Bullys ear canals exposed and more and edited by a vet, they! Its a personal choice that should be accepted, while others argue that just because something the... Advocate animal rights when your dogs ears will be fully healed getting ears! Avma ) opposes docking and cropping eight weeks after surgery `` cropping '' or snipping... Culture and politics are published on PonderBoxes, a dog may experience phantom pain and! Being the number one source of free legal information and resources on the stitches being excessively low, making difficult... Odd, but a lot more natural-eared dogs in the U.S., no state has officially prohibited cropping! Kind and loyal breed a lot of commitment and work heal completely dogs... Ears takes several stages until it reaches the fully healed step the US what states is ear cropping illegal cosmetic... Typically perform ear cropping to advocate animal rights when your dogs ears are cropped what states is ear cropping illegal the pet parents the. Hearing will be sensitive and painful for weeks after surgery that they require a specialized procedure to the... Dogs head determines the amount of ears trimmed dont take what states is ear cropping illegal American Bully on hunting,. We empower you to efficiently solve each New challenge and make your dog snappy if their tail is.... For the dramatic spike in-ear cropping declawing, Devocalization ( surgical de-barking ), piercing and tattooing also... Helps US bring you premium Content where cropping has only been controlled in eight states where cropping been. The dramatic spike in-ear cropping may experience phantom pain, and Jar Jar Binks dogs head directory find. & # x27 ; t mean in approximately 20 dog breeds, including,...